Both the problems of INS enforcement and anti alien sentiment have serious community strife potential. The settlement thesis outlined earlier in this chapter indicates that tension appears in the fourth stage, when families move permanently into certain areas and support populations appear. There is evidence to support the contention that in some of our large metropolitan areas this final stage has developed. The friction which accompanies it will be felt most keenly by the legal immigrant and ethnic populations whose very real need for assistance in overcoming culture shock, language barriers and the like may be met by an atmosphere of distrust and whose economic and political power to mitigate it is minimal. Federal-State-Local Relations The illegal alien issue presents a peculiar disproportionality in the roles of respective levels of government. Problems are felt at the local and regional level but local officials have few tools with which to respond for the laws involved are federal. On the other hand the Federal government administers immigration policy, somewhat mindful of its long-run implications for the nation as a whole, but far removed from the state and local levels of government where the outcome of its actions are felt. Intra-governmental communication and cooperation on this issue is very important and has been virtually nonexistent. This neglect has given rise to unrealistic demands from local governments for millions of dollars in reimbursements for services allegedly rendered to illegals. It has created lawsuits over fiscal responsibility as well as serious criticism from publicly funded and private community agencies who handle ever increasing caseloads. It has caused some local law enforcement officials to refuse to contact INS officials when illegal status is uncovered in the course of their work because their assistance in immigration work costs necessary community support in other aspects of their law enforcement responsibilities. The prospect which faces state and local government officials is a somber one. The settling in of substantial numbers of illegals has produced underground communities of people whose existence depends on evading and avoiding contact with the law and with government in any form. Above all we are a nation of laws dependent upon the institutions and systems which are created and regulated by law to maintain justice and equity in our communal existence. The illegal alien, both adds to the burdens upon society's infrastructures and is fearful of using services because it increases the likelihood of discovery and appreThis reluctance is a further dimension of the hension. issue. People who are underground cannot be counted for planning or fiscal allocation purposes; they cannot be protected from abuse on the job or from landlords, discrimination, disease, or crime; they may avoid education for children; and they are unable or reluctant to assert political or legal rights. Thus there is the possibility of a substantial underclass which must avoid the legitimate institutions and government of the society in order to survive. This has long-range implications for education, housing, criminal justice planning, and other important areas of primary state and local government responsibility. D. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Migrants settle in new areas according to a general pattern which consists of four stages. In the initial stages they come singly with the intention of remaining only temporarily usually for economic reasons. However for many, aspirations and opportunities change and become transferred to the host country. This brings on the latter stages when families are formed or sent for and support populations appear. The latter stages can cause tension and conflict over jobs and services with some groups in the native population. Very likely different areas of the country and different illegal population groups are at varying stages of this process today. Allegations of heavy illegal alien use of taxsupported income transfer programs are common. An examination of these programs shows that the majority depend on characteristics such as old age, female head of household, or disabled for eligibility. information shows that illegal aliens are unlikely to be making heavy use of such programs due to very different personal characteristics. Our tentative conclusion is Present that the welfare use issue is overdrawn. However, final judgment is dependent on better information delineating the characteristics of the illegal population. Several other social issues merit consideration. Population growth, discriminatory effects of enforcement, anti-alien sentiment and the formation of underground communities are of concern. These issues require a great deal of further analysis but will become increasingly important as settlement proceeds into the final stage. The federal government must work far more closely with state and local governments at which level impacts are most dramatically felt particularly in the area of social tension and strife, a characteristic of permanent settlement. Recommendations 1. Enforcement activities which minimize community and ethnic hostility should be stressed. Border enforcement and employer targeting are far less controversial than residence-oriented enforcement and are therefore preferable. Greater attention should be given to overcoming the negative effects of INS practices on ethnic, particularly Hispanic, groups. This should include: An expanded public information and education |